Customer Reviews

Advice From a Pregnant Obstetrician: An Inside Guide

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

This book is just not the wonderful book the previous reviewers are making it out to be. If you want to avoid being "scared" to the point of not getting all the facts and making informed choices then this is probably the book for you. The best example of the lack of balance in the book is her advice to ask for continuous fetal monitoring. Nine large-scale, well done scientific trials all found the same result. No better outcomes(meaning no healthier babies) with continuous monitoring than for regular heart rate checks by a trained person and three times the risk of cesarean section and its risks for mothers. Additionally, any women who has been "chained" to the monitor and unable to move can tell you that the discomfort of being unable to listen to your body and find comfortable positions for labor should be a major concern. Even in my twin pregnancy (which would be considered high risk, although my OB called it "special needs", did not require any more than intermittent monitoring.) It is important to know that epidurals do have risks as do other standard hospital routines. You may feel the benefit outweighs the risk, but this book doesn't give you all the facts to make an educated choice. If you want a really good first pregnancy book try A GOOD BIRTH, A SAFE BIRTH by Korte and Scaer. For the scientific evidence about the pros and cons of procedures read THE THINKING WOMAN'S GUIDE TO A BETTER BIRTH by Goer. Also, it is unthinkable that no information about the benefits of doulas, midwifery attended births, birth center and home birth options are provided(there are some OBs who do birth center and home births). I would hope no mother to be would go into her birth without exploring all the options.

Zero stars would be a more appropriate rating.

I agree this book is full of false information. Don't waste your money. I paid $2 for this book at a discount book store and I felt that it was money wasted.

There are many great pregnancy and birth books out there that are actually based on factual information. They give the pros and cons to many of the interventions that are commonly used in obstetrics today. How can a woman make the decision that is right for her if she is not presented with ALL the facts?

I will recommend a few books that are worth your money.

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn by Simkin, Whaley, Keppler
THe Birth Book by Dr. Sears
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer (this may be a little to the anti-epidural side of the scale, but at least her statements are factual)

I am a childbirth educator and doula. I could not believe the things I read in this book! It just goes to show that most OBs truly believe what they tell you. She states many lies in this book which have been disproven by numerous studies. For example- no drugs reach the baby. This is false and if you don't believe it, just ask to see the package inserts that come with the drugs used in epidurals (Bupivicaine and Lidocaine). It comes right out and tell you that ALL drugs cross the placenta. She also recommends continuous electronic fetal monitoring even though EVERY study EVER conducted on it's use has shown no better outomes for mom or baby and it has been proven to dramatically increase the chance for a c-section. Even the 2 inventors of the EFM say that it is over used and that moms would do much better just having someone litsen with a Doppler or Fetascope. I am just in disbeleife that this OB was able to print such lies and it saddens me that so many women may be influenced by her! If you really want the facts, PLEASE read "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer. Her entire book is supported by ALL studies done on these interventions and she gives the CONS as well as the pros for things like epidurals, episiotomies, pitocin, stadol... Please at least do this for your baby if nothing else. Then you can say that you made informed decisions! Nicole

As a nurse I was appalled when I read this book. Dr. Brasner sounds like most other OBs out there - big headed and full of herself. I would encourage women to do their own research on the interventions such as epidurals and continuous fetal monitoring. Most of what Dr. Brasner says in this book is lies. Sad...

I picked this book up from the library, with the goal to see how obstetricians view pregnancy and birth. What a terrible book!

Most of the things the author puts forward was in complete contradiction with what we learnt in our childbirth preparation class. And this was a hospital sponsored class, not hippy, tree-hugging class.

Quotes from the book:

On epidurals: "Epidural is a miracle procedure" and "Epidural is God's gift to pregnant women." "I respect the decision of wome who elect to endure childbirth without an epidural, although I can't say I understand it."

On mobility in labor and continuous fetal monitoring: "I've had patients who initially complained about the continuous monitor, telling me that they read in a book that it was better to walk around during labor. In the long run, however, my patients are ultimately grateful for the chance to stay in bed and take it easy."

Horrible! Horrible! Don't read this book.

The advice about labor basically is that she doesn't understand why anyone would "give birth" without an epidural. The whole view point obviously is from an ob who is not into any natural ways at all. I wasn't looking for a naturalistic approach only, but this book was a bit over the top on how labor is going to hurt like crazy! Not very inspiring!

Brasner's philosophy of childbirth is summed up nicely in a passage that challenges the skeptisicm around the wipespread use of epidurals ("God's gift to women"). She compares giving birth to having your appendix removed. Would you refuse the help of the anesthesiologist before your appendectomy?
If you think that pregnancy is a disease, and your idea of a 'good' birth is one where an expert on identifying and treating disease eradicates the disease as quickly and painlessly as possible (even if it means cutting it out of you) then this may be the book for you! If you think that childbirth is a sacred and completely normal (for most women) physiological process, and that women's bodies are quite capable of doing what it is that our bodies are designed to do-- then you might want to choose another book.

Finally, a detailed and informative pregnancy book written for the rest of us. Avoids the total guilt trip of the "What to Expect" books with sane and moderate advice. I would still recommend buying "What to expect" for its detail, but read this one first.

While interesting to see inside an OB's head, her opinions didn't inform me much at all -- I thought the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist's book Planning Your Pregnancy and Birth in the current edition is more thorough, more neutral and less aggravating. Neither are my source of choice for unmedicated childbirth info, but I plan on throwing out Advice From in favor of the ACOG book.

This book has many fine qualities. The author's tone is friendly and laid back; she offers a lot of encouraging words while also remaining consummately professional. Most of the important topics are covered, and in good detail--it's almost like having a conversation with her at your side. Obviously, Dr. Brasner is a skilled and compassionate physician, and it was really interesting to hear her describe her own care (as she had twins with a c-section). However, if you want 1) complete details on all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth (both pleasant and unpleasant), 2) solid information on a more natural, family-centered childbirth or a birth with minimal intervention, 3) complete information on epidurals, induction, continous monitoring, and other interventions, you will not want to rely solely on this text. Granted, Dr. Brasner is very honest and upfront about her opinion on the topic of medical intervention; there is nothing hidden. For example, she clearly feels that epidurals are a great thing, spending minimal time addressing any possible negatives of an epidural (and they do exist). I am very glad I read this book, for it offered me a new perspective. However, for the more "complete" picture, I feel there are better choices (i.e. The Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby, or A Good Birth, A Safe Birth, or one of Henci Goer's works). This is a decent "supplemental" reading to add to your shelf, but I urge all moms-to-be, even those who don't aim for unmedicated childbirth, to not let this be the only book and perspective they use.